Watch Runaway Bride

The 1999 romantic comedy Runaway Bride stars the popular pairing of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, who previously worked together in the iconic Pretty Woman. Directed by Garry Marshall, the movie centers around Maggie Carpenter (Roberts), a woman known for repeatedly leaving men at the altar on their wedding day. As a result, she becomes a media sensation and is dubbed the "runaway bride." Enter cynical journalist Ike Graham (Gere) from New York City, who, after writing a scathing column about Maggie's latest failed marriage, finds himself fired and in need of a new story. Ike sets out to uncover the truth behind Maggie's flightiness and decides to travel to her small hometown in Maryland to get the scoop. However, he quickly discovers that the story behind Maggie's behavior is more complicated than he anticipated. Meanwhile, Maggie is preparing for yet another wedding, this time to her longtime fiancé and high school sweetheart, Bob (Christopher Meloni), whom she has been engaged to for three years. However, as the wedding date approaches, Maggie begins to have doubts about going through with the marriage and realizes that she doesn't actually know who she is or what she wants from life. Bob's overbearing family doesn't help, and Maggie ultimately flees the wedding, leaving everyone once again wondering where she went. Back in Maryland, Ike is struggling to write his story and starts to become romantically involved with Maggie's best friend, Peggy (Joan Cusack). As Ike spends more time with Maggie and learns more about her past, he starts to see her in a different light and begins to develop feelings for her. However, Maggie is still grappling with her own issues and is unsure if she is ready for a serious relationship. Throughout the movie, Maggie engages in some hilarious antics to avoid confrontation and escape from uncomfortable situations. These moments are juxtaposed with more serious scenes that delve into Maggie's past and help the audience understand why she is the way she is. One of the film's strongest points is the chemistry between Roberts and Gere, who effortlessly slip back into their roles as a witty, snarky duo who eventually fall in love. Their on-screen banter is both amusing and heartwarming, and it's hard not to root for them to end up together. Runaway Bride also features a strong supporting cast, including the always-entertaining Joan Cusack as well as Sally Field and Hector Elizondo, who previously worked with Marshall on other films. The movie is set against the quaint backdrop of a small town and features beautiful cinematography that captures the charm of the area. Overall, Runaway Bride is a fun and heartwarming romantic comedy that showcases the talents of its leads while also exploring deeper themes of self-discovery and the pressure society puts on women to conform to certain expectations. It's a feel-good movie that will leave audiences smiling and maybe even a little teary-eyed by the end.